Explore the rapid deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles within 24 hours, amid rising tensions and Governor’s criticism of Trump’s actions.
Los Angeles, CA – June 8, 2025 – In a highly contentious move that has ignited a fierce political firestorm, the Trump administration has ordered the deployment of approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, with their arrival expected within 24 hours. This federal intervention comes in response to escalating protests and clashes following recent immigration enforcement operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city. The decision has been met with swift and sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has vehemently denounced President Trump’s actions as “purposefully inflammatory” and an attempt to “sow chaos.”
A City on Edge: The Precursor to Deployment
The situation in Los Angeles has been tense for days, stemming from a series of aggressive ICE raids that have swept across the county. These operations, targeting undocumented immigrants, have led to dozens of arrests and sparked widespread outrage among community members and advocacy groups. Protests, initially localized, intensified over the weekend, particularly in predominantly Latino districts like Paramount and parts of downtown Los Angeles, near federal detention centers.
Demonstrators have clashed with federal agents, who have reportedly deployed tear gas, flash-bang explosives, and pepper balls to disperse crowds. Videos circulating on social media show scenes of unrest, with protesters throwing objects at law enforcement vehicles and setting small fires. A prominent labor union leader, David Huerta, president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), was also arrested during a protest, further fueling public anger. The union asserts Huerta was “peacefully observing” an operation when he was detained, while federal officials claim he “deliberately obstructed” agents.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has acknowledged the community’s fear and frustration over the immigration raids, stating that such actions “sow terror in our communities.” While she has called for peaceful protests, she has also emphasized that violence and destruction are unacceptable and those responsible will be held accountable.
The Federal Mandate: Trump’s Direct Order
President Trump, in a memo to the Defense and Homeland Security departments, invoked his Title 10 authority to federalize a portion of the California National Guard, thereby bypassing Governor Newsom’s direct control over state troops. This move is rare and has sparked significant legal debate, as typically, National Guard deployments within a state occur at the governor’s request.
The White House justified the deployment, stating it was necessary to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester” in Los Angeles. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused California’s Democratic leaders of being “feckless” and having “completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.” President Trump himself took to his “Truth Social” platform, asserting that if Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass “can’t do their jobs,” the federal government would “step in and solve the problem of rioters and looters the way it should be solved!!!”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further escalated tensions by warning that active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton were on “high-alert” and would be mobilized “if violence continues.”
Governor Newsom’s Fiery Rebuttal
Governor Newsom has been unequivocal in his condemnation of the Trump administration’s actions. In a series of statements and social media posts, he labeled the deployment as “purposefully inflammatory” and warned that it “will only escalate tensions.” He asserted that there is “no unmet need” for additional law enforcement in Los Angeles, arguing that local authorities are already in close coordination with city and county agencies and are fully capable of handling the situation.
Newsom accused the federal government of “sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate things,” calling it a tactic “not the way any civilized country behaves.” He specifically criticized Secretary Hegseth’s threat to deploy Marines as “deranged behavior.” The Governor emphasized that the National Guard has been “admirably serving LA throughout recovery” in other capacities and that this new “wrong mission” will “erode public trust.”
Newsom’s office confirmed that he spoke with President Trump for approximately 40 minutes following the deployment order, though details of that conversation remain undisclosed.
Legal and Constitutional Questions
The federalization of the California National Guard without the Governor’s consent has raised significant legal and constitutional questions. Legal scholars, such as Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, have called the move “truly chilling,” stating it represents “using the military domestically to stop dissent.” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also weighed in, deeming Trump’s order “unnecessary, inflammatory, and an abuse of power,” arguing that it “recklessly undermines our foundational democratic principle that the military should not police civilians.”
Historically, National Guard deployments have occurred either at a governor’s request or in extreme circumstances under the Insurrection Act, which grants the president authority to suppress domestic violence. However, legal experts contend that using Title 10 authority in this manner, without a clear and overwhelming breakdown of civil order as determined by local authorities, sets a dangerous precedent.
What Lies Ahead
As Los Angeles braces for the arrival of the National Guard, the immediate future remains uncertain. Protests are expected to continue, and the presence of federalized troops, particularly against the backdrop of immigration enforcement, is likely to further exacerbate tensions rather than quell them. The clash between federal and state authority highlights a deepening chasm in American governance, with the potential for legal challenges and further political polarization. The eyes of the nation will be on Los Angeles as this unprecedented situation unfolds, testing the boundaries of presidential power and the autonomy of state leadership.